Henry County 2016

[MSURacer]

What are the expectations for this team next year?  

 

The defense is where we will take our biggest hit to graduation losing the entire starting front 7, and it was a very good one at that, but we do have some solid depth returning in many of those areas. The secondary has several experienced guys returning, but we've got to get fundamentally better back there. That might be where we miss Coach Counce Sr the most, as I believe that was his position group. Nonetheless, there are some good kids coming back there, and even more moving up from the frosh/JV levels.

 

The offense should have quite a bit returning. The starting QB, both RB's, two WR's, and both starting tackles were all underclassmen this year, 5 of whom were just sophomores. We'll have to replace our FB, TE, and a few guys in the middle of the line. All were good players, but I still feel pretty good about this unit. They could potentially take a big leap forward next year.

 

On special teams, the loss of our star kicker hurts. That kid was a major weapon for us this season. I wish we could've had him for longer than 1 year, and I sure hope he gets a shot at the next level somewhere. He definitely has the leg for it. Can't remember if our punter returns or not.

 

Over all, I think HC has a chance to be a pretty dang good football team next year if everyone comes to work this off season with a team first attitude. This offense has a chance, and I will emphasize the word chance, to be the most explosive unit we've had in quite some time. They will have to put in the work if they want to be great, however. The defense loses a lot, and could see some growing pains early on, but it will have pieces to build around. We also have another large (45-55 players) and fairly talented group of freshmen who will be moving up to the varsity level. Some of those kids could potentially be early contributors. If we bring our kicking game along, HC could be a team to watch in '16.

 

Thoughts?  

 

    

[olddevil]

Thanks, Racer, for your thoughtful and interesting summary. I agree with all of your points and share your optimism. One of our regular posters entered a rather pessimistic entry several weeks ago.Considering our graduation  losses that is certainly a natural sentiment, something we all feel especially this time of year. We often forget that 14, 15, and 16 year old kids are growing, strengthening and maturing rapidly and will be much changed by next fall.The base we are starting with this year is very good and all depends on what happens over the winter, spring and summer.

  There are some great potential linemen waiting for their chance in the defensive line. Will they be as good as those leaving? Probably not because they were as good as we have ever fielded.We must remember that in the past we have done very well with less and can again.The loss of all six of our linebackers is a really big problem but one that can and will be solved.The returning DBs should be faster and bigger and will have benefited by this year's experience.Overall  the defense will be a work in progress.

  The offense, on the other hand, should be very good.. Two very good RBs return as juniors with some talented frosh and sophs waiting in the wings The FB prospect list is long and talented. We return a legacy wide reciever who could be the best since his dad.  And at least one or two very good sophs to be with speed, catching ability and savvy.We will have three(perhaps four) QBs who can throw better and more accurately than anyone this year considering continued growth and development.A good core returns in the O-line with some really good prospects coming.There is plenty here to hang our hopes on.

 

 

    GO BIG RED

 

 

[FactsOnly]

I suspect:

 

1  There are a handful of 15 year olds in men's bodies that we've never heard of who have every intention of being contributors next year and who have names we'll talk about for the next several years

2  There's a kid who loves to kick, maybe a current soccer player - maybe not, who'll be the talk of town after the first scrimmage

3  The secondary is as bothered by their performance last year as we are and are already studying how it will be remedied

4   and that there is an impact player developing that even the coaches don't currently suspect

 

This is what I suspect.  Happens every year.

Edited December 14, 2015 by FactsOnly

[dhstennis]

Can't wait to see u boys again...best game we play each year

 

 

I feel ya on losing each and every linebacker...that is an issue

[MSURacer]

Not Henry County news, but still pretty big news for our region: 

 

Coach Brian Rector resigns as the head football coach at Centennial. Wow. 

 

 

http://usatodayhss.com/2015/centennial-coach-brian-rector-resigns

Edited December 15, 2015 by MSURacer

[MSURacer]

Can't wait to see u boys again...best game we play each year

 

 

I feel ya on losing each and every linebacker...that is an issue

 

I'm looking forward to it as well.

 

Sounds like the rich (Liberty) will get richer in Jackson now that JCM is closing. 

[GWAVE1]

Not Henry County news, but still pretty big news for our region:

 

Coach Brian Rector resigns as the head football coach at Centennial. Wow.

 

 

http://usatodayhss.com/2015/centennial-coach-brian-rector-resigns

this is surprising to me

[MSURacer]

this is surprising to me

Me too. Did not see that one coming.

[GWAVE1]

Me too. Did not see that one coming.

Hopefully Gallatin can give y'all a much better game this next year.

[BT Mafia]

Not Henry County news, but still pretty big news for our region: 

 

Coach Brian Rector resigns as the head football coach at Centennial. Wow. 

 

 

http://usatodayhss.com/2015/centennial-coach-brian-rector-resigns

He gets the itch to move after 4-5 years.  If Riverdale opens, look for his name to be mentioned there or at Father Ryan, which is already open. 

[HCBigRed]

Offense should be pretty good with big play ability and defense will of course be a work in progress. Looking forward to 2016

[TrojanTrain]

What are the expectations for this team next year?  

 

The defense is where we will take our biggest hit to graduation losing the entire starting front 7, and it was a very good one at that, but we do have some solid depth returning in many of those areas. The secondary has several experienced guys returning, but we've got to get fundamentally better back there. That might be where we miss Coach Counce Sr the most, as I believe that was his position group. Nonetheless, there are some good kids coming back there, and even more moving up from the frosh/JV levels.

 

The offense should have quite a bit returning. The starting QB, both RB's, two WR's, and both starting tackles were all underclassmen this year, 5 of whom were just sophomores. We'll have to replace our FB, TE, and a few guys in the middle of the line. All were good players, but I still feel pretty good about this unit. They could potentially take a big leap forward next year.

 

On special teams, the loss of our star kicker hurts. That kid was a major weapon for us this season. I wish we could've had him for longer than 1 year, and I sure hope he gets a shot at the next level somewhere. He definitely has the leg for it. Can't remember if our punter returns or not.

 

Over all, I think HC has a chance to be a pretty dang good football team next year if everyone comes to work this off season with a team first attitude. This offense has a chance, and I will emphasize the word chance, to be the most explosive unit we've had in quite some time. They will have to put in the work if they want to be great, however. The defense loses a lot, and could see some growing pains early on, but it will have pieces to build around. We also have another large (45-55 players) and fairly talented group of freshmen who will be moving up to the varsity level. Some of those kids could potentially be early contributors. If we bring our kicking game along, HC could be a team to watch in '16.

 

Thoughts?  

Doesn't Harrison coach the secondary as well as DC?